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What shall I do with this penstemon?

B3B3 Posts: 27,505
in Plants

I grew this from a cutting  but was unable  to plant it out due to the drought. 
It will have pure white flowers  and I  think it may be a bit more particular  than some varieties  but maybe  not 
Should I  plant it out, prune it or bung it in a sheltered  spot for the winter ?
In London. Keen but lazy.
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Posts

  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    I've got about 10 P. White Bedder in my garden - 9 of which came from cuttings.
    I've found them to be hardy here in Essex.

    From what I've read, it's the penstemons with broad leaves that are less hardy than the ones with narrow leaves - no idea if there's any truth in that.

    I've got Raven and Hidcote Pink both of which have broader leaves, but they've been in the garden for years.

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505
    I was going by the fact that the leaves seemed softer than the really hardy ones. No idea really.
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    @B3 Whatever you do don't cut it back. I would normally prune in early April and only then if they are looking scruffy. They do seem to do better in the South of the country. Years ago I gave up growing them because they did not over winter and some are hardier than others. Penstemon Garnet has narrow leaves and that is more hardy. Not sure what to suggest to do as I am further north. I think advice on overwintering will continue to change in the coming years due to milder winters.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505
    It is a problem. Things just don't die back the way they used to.
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • msqingxiaomsqingxiao Posts: 482
    Penstemons (all similar to the one in your photo) here in my front garden (southwest facing, improved clay soil, slightly sloped) have overwintered well (only one year for now). I probably didn't cut them back hard enough in the spring so some were looking woody and sad, but still alive! I just took loads of cuttings as a backup....
  • Red mapleRed maple Posts: 1,138
    My penstemons have over wintered well outdoors. I can’t remember the name, but the blooms are red. The leaves are quite narrow.
    I took cuttings off the main plant last year, keeping one in a pot and putting the others in the garden. The ones in the ground are in a north facing front garden but sheltered by a fence and other shrubs, which might help. 
    I will move the pot closer to the wall of the house in its south facing position.
    I live in the North.
  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
    The fact that you're in South East London and presumably with a fairly sheltered garden, makes me feel that you should plant it out.
    I agree with @Pete.8 about the leaf thing, l don't know if it's gospel, but it seems to be true in my experience. 

    Also agree, don't cut it back whatever you do, wait until early/mid April at least.

    If you have the room, l would hedge your bets and maybe take some cuttings from it. If you're fast,  they should root pretty quickly and you can keep them somewhere sheltered.
  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505
    I went down to have a look at the parent plant. It has survived the winter and the summer so it must be stronger than I thought. 
    I'm grateful for everyone's advice to not prune. The ground is soft at the moment so I think I'll plant it out.
    Now I'll have to decide where to put it.
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505
    It's in the ground now. A few bits broke off so I'll put them in water . Although some of the softwood stems are getting nobbly bits ( technical term) so they might do better in soil. Who knows?
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • Red mapleRed maple Posts: 1,138
    Good luck - I’m sure your plant will be fine, but you’re wise to take a few cuttings for insurance.  :)
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